Ryan Bertrand admitted he would be very tempted with a permanent move to Madejski Stadium if parent club Chelsea can’t guarantee him first-team football next season

Ryan Bertrand admitted he would be very tempted with a permanent move to Madejski Stadium if parent club Chelsea can’t guarantee him first-team football next season.

The talented left-back is currently in talks with the Blues over an improved deal at Stamford Bridge, but insisted he would only commit his future to them if they offered him a chance to make his name there.

England Under-21 international Bertrand has the most appearances of any outfield Reading players this season, playing in 37 out of Royals’ 39 Championship games, as well as making seven cup appearances.

And he told getreading : “I’m talking to Chelsea at the minute and I need to play first-team football really.

“I can understand if it would be 15 or so games for them in a season, I would need to play some part and hopefully I can do that because that would be my first choice to go back and play there.

“But if they can’t offer me that then I guess I will have to look elsewhere.

"I’ve got a while left on my Chelsea contract, but I’m at that age in my career when decisions need to be made and if they can’t promise me I’ll play some part then I’ll have to look elsewhere.

“I’ve played more than 100 league games now, and for the England Under-21s, so you would think at most clubs you would get a chance in the first team.

“But it’s obviously not the case at Chelsea. There’s a few important decisions that need to be made.”

The revelations will be music to loyal Royals fans’ ears after last season’s player-of-the-season Chris Armstrong looks to have possibly played his last game for the club after struggling with a knee injury.

When asked if he would consider a switch to Berkshire, Bertrand was enthusiastic about the option.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Reading and I wouldn’t rule out a move here at all,” he said.

“It’s been really positive of late and I’ve enjoyed myself, and that’s the main thing and if you enjoy it then you shouldn’t change it.

“Chelsea let me know how I’m getting on and follow my progress, but I’m just concentrating on what I’m doing here.”

For now Bertrand is fully focused on taking on fourth-placed Cardiff City at the City of Cardiff Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

And he added: “I caught a bit of their game against Forest and thought the draw was a fair result, but they’re just another Championship side in and around us and we know what to expect.

“We deserved to beat them at home and the boys can be confident going into this next one. They would be foolish to underestimate us really, especially with the run that we’ve been on.

“I think, from how things have been going of late, that we’re definitely up there with the better teams in the league and they should be wary.”